Transcript Slide 1
ST. LOUIS FAMILY COURT Judge Jimmie M. Edwards July 21, 2011 Juvenile Court Jurisdiction 1. Child Protection – under 18 Abuse • physical • sexual • emotional Neglect • environmental • medical • educational • lack of supervision Purpose – protect child and assure a safe environment 2. Delinquency – under 17 violation of state law or ordinance committed by a juvenile prior to attaining the age of 17, which would be a crime if committed by an adult Purpose – treat, rehabilitate and hold juveniles accountable 3. Status Offenses Offenses which would not be offenses if committed by an adult Truancy Runaway Curfew Incorrigibility Behaviors Injurious Purpose – treat and rehabilitate Juvenile Court Jurisdiction 4. Adoption to create a new permanent and legal parent-child relationship 5. Guardianship to create a new legal custodian-child relationship Legal Screening Formal – prosecution Informal – diversion services Neighborhood Accountability Board Victim Offender Dialogue Theft Diversion Misdemeanor Marijuana Court Family Contracted Services Informal Supervision Youth Diversion program Formal vs. Informal Decision Factors felony vs. misdemeanor history age injury property damage parent’s cooperation victim’s position Juvenile vs. Criminal Due Process Rights in Both Courts right to an attorney right to notice and opportunity to prepare for trial right to present evidence right to cross-examine witnesses right to appeal Due Process Rights in Criminal Court Only bail / bond jury Juvenile Justice Criminal Treatment Options Sentences official court supervision probation private residential facility Division of Youth Services (treatment) Dept of Corrections (prison) Juvenile Court Treatment Official Court Supervision (probation) Restitution Community service Counseling Drug treatment Sex offender treatment Educational programs Job training – MERS Gun Court Drug Court MINE Program MultiSystemic Therapy Nightwatch YES program Division of Youth Services Day treatment Reach (Manchester & Kingshighway) Residential Babler State Park St. Louis Regional Center (MO Hills) Hogan Street Aftercare At home under supervision Certification felony offense certification hearing Judge must determine whether juvenile is a proper subject for juvenile court jurisdiction juvenile court jurisdiction terminated prosecutor may charge juvenile as adult The court must balance the appropriateness of treatment in the juvenile system and the community’s need for protection from the juvenile.